Volunteering in the United Arab Emirates’ Health System—Motivations and Challenges

Abstract

Background: The volunteer role has been cited as an important in supporting healthcare organizations in diverse areas such as contributing to research, health professional's education, health care delivery, health policy development and patient administration. Proper motivation of volunteers is required for sustaining volunteer performance, while encumbrances to optimal engagement in health systems need to be addressed. This study aimed to investigate the main factors that motivate volunteers to participate in the UAE healthcare system, along with exploring the barriers and challenges being faced. Methods: This study was designed as a quantitative cross-sectional study in United Arab Emirates (UAE). A purposive sample of the Adult citizens and residents using purposive sampling directed at all major health volunteer recruitment agencies in UAE, who have volunteered at least once in the health system over the preceding 12 months. Participants Adult UAE residents were selected by a purposive sampling method from February to April 2017. Data were collected through electronic questionnaires using modified Volunteer Motivation Inventory (VMI). Data were analyzed from 667 adults' residents who were reported to volunteer at least once in healthcare opportunities. Results: About 53% (n = 290) of the volunteers in this sample were full time employed individuals. Almost 63% (n = 422) were female. Overall, assessed self-reported motivations of volunteer participants were high. The main motivation for volunteering in healthcare opportunities in the UAE was Understanding dimension (Mean = 4.68), followed by self-esteem dimension (Mean = 4.60). Eight elements of volunteer motivation showed no statistically significant differences between male and female respondents. Organization/system barriers dimension was the highest among respondents (Mean = 2.9), followed by individual barriers (Mean = 2.6), interpersonal (Mean = 2.06) and contextual (Mean = 2.04). Conclusion: UAE health sector Health volunteers who participated in this study appeared to be highly motivated. The main motivation factor was understanding dimension which allowed volunteers in healthcare to gain a new perspective on things, through practical training and learning new things, dealing with different groups in the health sector, for example doctors, nursing, patients. What makes the health sector volunteer understand them self and the world around them. Therefore the organization should focus on volunteer motivation to ensure future intensions of them. The four main barriers to volunteer were Individual barriers, Interpersonal barriers, contextual barriers and organizations system barriers. Concerted efforts are needed to raise awareness about available volunteer opportunities, and optimally align the motivations of volunteers with organizational objectives in the UAE health sector.

Volunteering Activity as A Source of Life Satisfaction among Medical and Dental Students of Karachi, Pakistan

“…Volunteering and serving others can help decrease tension, combat sadness; mentally empower volunteers and offer meaning and purpose in life 11 . Voluntary work may not only help the vulnerable, but also the volunteer 12 . There are six main functions served by volunteering services including values, understanding, social, career, enhancement and protective 13 .…”

Level of participation in public health volunteering and its determinants among ministry of health primary health care workers in Jeddah 2019

“…In a similar study publishedby Al Saraidi et al . in 2020.,[ 15 ] a total of 667 health volunteers answered a questionnaire about volunteering determinants and barriers; most responders (80%) were less than 40 years old with 63% of female participation, which matches our studied population. [ 15 ]…”

Benefits of Volunteerism across the Life Span

“…By working with other volunteers and program participants from diverse backgrounds, they understand they have more in common with these individuals then dissimilarities. The values are experienced also by the program participants who see themselves as being heard, seen and valued by a volunteer (Saraidi et al, 2020).…”

“…They bring support and validation to those who have minimal resources and those who are marginalized in society (Berkey, 2021;Liu, 2012;Primavera, 1999). Through their unpaid work, they serve as a means of care and concern that extends the mission and programmatic objectives of human service, medical and community organizations (Beardman, 2012;Mateiu-Vescan, Ionescu, & Opre, 2020;Saraidi, Awofeso, & Dolan, 2020). Volunteers are beneficial to society.…”

“…This aspect of generosity makes a difference in the lives of marginalized individuals as well as the organizations aiming to diminish oppression. According to Saraidi et al (2020), volunteers' altruistic behavior assists with understanding the plight of the oppressed and strengthening the volunteer's self-esteem. There are a host of benefits to the volunteer.…”